were confiscated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were confiscated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing items that have been taken away by an authority, often due to legal reasons or violations. Example: "The illegal goods were confiscated by customs officials during the inspection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their cellphones were confiscated.

The New York Times

Some hoops were confiscated.

The Economist

Weapons were confiscated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mangoes were confiscated.

The New York Times

They were confiscated and destroyed.

BBC

All government cars were confiscated.

The Guardian

And their tapes were confiscated.

The New York Times

Thirteen Guatemalan passports were confiscated.

The New York Times

The cases floated around and were confiscated.

The New Yorker

Our cellphones, cameras and computers were confiscated.

The New York Times

Firebombs were confiscated in the raid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about confiscation, be specific about who did the confiscating and why, if the context allows. This adds clarity and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring it's clear who performed the confiscation. Omitting the agent can lead to confusion or a weakened statement. For example, instead of "The items were confiscated", specify "The items were confiscated by the police" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were confiscated" functions as the passive voice of the verb 'confiscate'. It indicates that an action was performed on a subject (the items confiscated) by an implied or stated agent. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing official seizures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were confiscated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates items have been officially seized by an authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the confiscating agent to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "were seized" or "were impounded" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were seized

This alternative implies a sudden or forceful taking of something.

were impounded

This suggests that items were officially taken into legal custody.

were impounded

This suggests items were officially taken into legal custody.

were expropriated

This implies a formal and often governmental taking of property.

were appropriated

This indicates the taking of something for one's own use, sometimes without permission.

were commandeered

This suggests taking possession of something, especially for military or public use.

were forfeited

This indicates a loss of something as a penalty for wrongdoing.

were reclaimed

This implies taking back possession of something previously lost or taken.

were sequestered

This suggests isolating or setting something apart, often under legal authority.

were taken into custody

This describes the act of seizing something and placing it in legal possession.

FAQs

What does "were confiscated" mean?

The phrase "were confiscated" means that items have been officially seized or taken away by an authority, usually because they are illegal, prohibited, or in violation of a rule or law.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "were confiscated"?

Use "were confiscated" when you want to emphasize that an item or items have been taken by an authority. This is common in legal, news, and formal contexts.

What are some alternative phrases to "were confiscated"?

You can use alternatives like "were seized", "were impounded", or "were appropriated" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How does using "were confiscated" differ from using "were stolen"?

"Were confiscated" implies that the items were taken by an authority figure or organization according to a set of rules or laws. "Were stolen", on the other hand, suggests that the items were taken illegally, without authority or permission.